Kia Optima PHEV EV Charging Cable
| Inlet type | Type 2, AC only, no rapid charging |
|---|---|
| Max onboard AC | About 3.3 kW, single phase |
| On a UK home supply | About 3.3 kW, the car's own limit |
| Charge port position | Front nearside wing, ahead of the passenger door |
| Cable we recommend | Type 2 to Type 2, 16A |
Charging your Optima PHEV at home
This is a small battery and a modest charger, which together make for an easy life. Kia quotes a full charge in under three hours from a 240 volt supply on the 9.8 kWh saloon, and the Sportswagon carries 11.26 kWh.
The 16A Type 2 cable covers that comfortably. A 32A lead fits and charges at exactly the same speed. Spending more on the lead changes nothing, as the car sets the rate. Spend the difference on a longer cable if your drive needs the reach.
Which length, and which side
The flap is on the front nearside wing, ahead of the passenger door, so the lead comes in low and from the kerb side. Take a tape measure to the run, inlet to charge point, and add a couple of metres before choosing. Facing the wall box, five metres is generous on a car this shape.
Worth knowing if you read Kia's own press material: it calls this the driver's side, because it was written for left hand drive markets. On a UK car it is the nearside, confirmed by a UK road test of the right hand drive car.
How long a full charge takes
| Cable | Power drawn at home | Empty to full, 9.8 kWh battery | Empty to full, 11.26 kWh battery | Range added per hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 2 to Type 2, 16A, car limited to about 3.3 kW | 3.3 kW | 3 hours 15 mins | 3 hours 45 mins | about 12 miles |
| Type 2 to 3 Pin from a socket | 2.3 kW | 4 hours 45 mins | 5 hours 30 mins | about 8 miles |
Figures are calculated rather than quoted: battery divided by power, 13 per cent for losses, quarter hour rounding. Those are Kia's total battery figures for the saloon and the Sportswagon, since no usable capacity is published. Electric range is 33 miles on the old NEDC test, so expect less in real use.
How these cables are built
Built to IEC 62196-2 and CE marked, with an IP55 rating that covers rain and dust on an exposed driveway, and a working range of -30C to +50C.
The three pin cable is built to IEC 62752, CE marked, sealed to IP67 and rated from -30C to +60C. It carries a two year manufacturer's warranty, ships free on next working day delivery, and can go back inside 30 days.
Also from Kia: Kia EV3 EV Charging Cable. The full range of Kia charging cables is on one page.
Kia Optima PHEV charging cable questions
Which cable does a Kia Optima PHEV use?
A Type 2 to Type 2 cable, and 16A is the sensible rating. The car accepts around 3.3 kW on AC and cannot use more, so the cheaper lead charges it just as quickly as an expensive one.
How long does an Optima PHEV take to charge?
Under three hours from a home charge point on the 9.8 kWh saloon, according to Kia, and a little longer on the 11.26 kWh Sportswagon. From a three pin socket, allow four to five hours.
Which side is the charging socket on?
The front nearside wing on a UK car, the kerb side. Ignore the phrase driver's side in Kia's press material; that describes a left hand drive car.
Can it rapid charge?
No. The Optima PHEV is AC only, so there is no CCS or CHAdeMO socket and no rapid charging. The Type 2 cable is the only lead it needs.
Cable specifications
| Connector type | Type 2 to Type 2 Charging Cable |
|---|---|
| Standard | IEC 62196-2 |
| Rated power | 16amp (3.6kW) |
| Supply | Single phase |
| Cable length | 10M |
| Weatherproofing | IP55 |
| Temperature range | −30°C to +50°C |
| Approval | CE marked |
| Warranty | 2 year manufacturer's warranty |
Specifications follow the option you have selected above. Charging always runs at the lowest limit of your car, the charge point and the cable.